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Syria crisis: UN launches largest ever aid appeal | Syria crisis: UN launches largest ever aid appeal |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The United Nations has launched the largest appeal in its history - seeking $5bn (£3.2bn; 3.7bn euros) for humanitarian aid to Syria. | The United Nations has launched the largest appeal in its history - seeking $5bn (£3.2bn; 3.7bn euros) for humanitarian aid to Syria. |
The UN estimates more than 10 million Syrians - half the population - will need help by the end of the year. | The UN estimates more than 10 million Syrians - half the population - will need help by the end of the year. |
As many as four million children are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, the UN children's agency Unicef says. | As many as four million children are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, the UN children's agency Unicef says. |
UN humanitarian officials have admitted they may struggle to raise the record sums they are now asking for. | UN humanitarian officials have admitted they may struggle to raise the record sums they are now asking for. |
Governments were criticised for being slow to commit funds to the previous UN target of $1.5bn for the first six months of this year, the BBC's Nick Childs says. | Governments were criticised for being slow to commit funds to the previous UN target of $1.5bn for the first six months of this year, the BBC's Nick Childs says. |
UN officials say most of that money - $1.2bn - has now been committed, he adds. | UN officials say most of that money - $1.2bn - has now been committed, he adds. |
But, in Geneva on Friday, the UN said it had revised up the amount of funding needed because of the worsening security situation in Syria. | But, in Geneva on Friday, the UN said it had revised up the amount of funding needed because of the worsening security situation in Syria. |
'Masking a human tragedy' | 'Masking a human tragedy' |
One in three Syrians is now in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, UN Emergency Relief Co-ordinator Valerie Amos said in a news conference on Friday. | One in three Syrians is now in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, UN Emergency Relief Co-ordinator Valerie Amos said in a news conference on Friday. |
"Between January and April, the number of people displaced in Syria more than doubled. These are massive figures, but those figures mask a human tragedy," she added. | "Between January and April, the number of people displaced in Syria more than doubled. These are massive figures, but those figures mask a human tragedy," she added. |
The UN expects the number of refugees - currently more than 1.5 million - to leap to nearly 3.5 million by the end of 2013. | The UN expects the number of refugees - currently more than 1.5 million - to leap to nearly 3.5 million by the end of 2013. |
Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told reporters that refugee camps were currently receiving 7,000 new arrivals every day - putting huge pressure on Syria's neighbours. | Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told reporters that refugee camps were currently receiving 7,000 new arrivals every day - putting huge pressure on Syria's neighbours. |
"Funding Syria's humanitarian needs is a matter not only of generosity but enlightened self-interest," he said. | "Funding Syria's humanitarian needs is a matter not only of generosity but enlightened self-interest," he said. |
Lebanon and Jordan, which host about half a million refugees each, have joined the appeal, asking for donations of $450 million (£289m) and $380 million (£245m) respectively to cover the financial costs. | |
Within Syria itself, UN officials estimate that nearly seven million people will be dependent on aid, having been forced to flee their homes. | Within Syria itself, UN officials estimate that nearly seven million people will be dependent on aid, having been forced to flee their homes. |
Many of those within Syria have already suffered or witnessed appalling violence, lost family members and are living without food, shelter, medical care and schooling. | Many of those within Syria have already suffered or witnessed appalling violence, lost family members and are living without food, shelter, medical care and schooling. |
Unicef is warning of a lost generation of young Syrians. | Unicef is warning of a lost generation of young Syrians. |
The $5bn sought by the UN would cover only the most basic needs of people until the end of this year. | The $5bn sought by the UN would cover only the most basic needs of people until the end of this year. |
Aid workers say that, even if the fighting were to stop tomorrow, Syria and its people would still need years to recover. | Aid workers say that, even if the fighting were to stop tomorrow, Syria and its people would still need years to recover. |
Responding to the UN's latest appeal, International Development Secretary Justine Greening said the UK is "ready to play its role" and urged other donors to make contributions. | Responding to the UN's latest appeal, International Development Secretary Justine Greening said the UK is "ready to play its role" and urged other donors to make contributions. |
The UK-based Save the Children charity says "money alone will not be enough", calling for greater access for aid agencies to worst affected areas of Syria as an urgent priority. | The UK-based Save the Children charity says "money alone will not be enough", calling for greater access for aid agencies to worst affected areas of Syria as an urgent priority. |
Access to Qusair | |
The UN-led appeal was launched just days after Syrian troops backed by Lebanese Hezbollah militants regained control of the key town of Qusair after weeks of fierce fighting with rebel forces. | |
Qusair, which lies 10km (six miles) from the Lebanese border, is a major supply route for both sides of the conflict. | |
Hundreds of injured civilians are reported to be trapped in Qusair with little access to medical supplies, food and water. | |
However, on Friday Russia agreed to a UN Security Council statement demanding "immediate, safe and unhindered" access to the town after blocking an earlier version of the communique. | |
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based activist group, said pro-Assad forces were "massing in their thousands" in the northern province of Aleppo in a bid to cut off rebel supply routes to Turkey. | |
This follows the rebel fighters' attempted takeover on Thursday of the UN-monitored crossing in the Golan Heights separating Israeli and Syrian troops. | |
The Syrian government forces retook the symbolically significant position just hours later, an Israeli military force said. |